Tutankhamun’s TombWho Found His Tomb?The tomb was found by a group of researchers led by Howard Carter. It was discovered in 1922, which means that all of the treasures and the body inside have been left in very good condition. Carter worked out from other important finds that the tomb would be in the Valley of the Kings. A man named Theodore Davis found a cup with Tutankhamun and his wife on it. This was a clue that helped Carter find the tomb.

What They Found InsideInside the tomb they found over 3000 treasures meant for Tutankhamun to take with him into the afterlife. Many of the items were made from, or covered in, gold – perfect for a king. The tomb was split into many different rooms. Most of the rooms were for the objects, apart from the burial chamber which just held his sarcophagus (a decorated stone coffin).

DecorationThe burial chamber with the body is the only decorated room in the tomb, which is very unusual for a resting place for a king.

Normally, all the walls would be carved or painted, which is how we know that Tutankhamun died very suddenly.

The images on the walls were from a ritual called the ‘opening of the mouth’.

The Curse of the Mummy!The curse of the mummy started after Tutankhamun’s tomb was opened. Mummies have been thought to have magical powers and will curse anyone who disturbs them. It started when Lord Carnarvon, the man who paid for the dig of King Tut’s tomb, died soon after it was opened. As soon as he died, all the lights in Cairo went out mysteriously. Other stories are that Carter’s pet canary was killed by a cobra and Carnarvon’s dog died the same night. Some think it was a germ but others say it was magic.

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Tutankhamun’s Tomb Questions1. Which year was Tutankhamun’s tomb discovered? Tick one.

1992

1922

1912

1299

2. Where did Carter find the tomb?

3. What is the name of the room that had the sarcophagus in? Tick one.

tomb

burial chamber

sarcophagus area

Tutankhamun

4. Use the information in the text to match the people up to their role in the discovery.

5. Tick the boxes to say whether the sentences are true or false.

6. What is the name of the ritual that can be seen in the paintings in the burial chamber?

7. Do you believe the mummy’s curse? Use the text to support your answer.

Lord Carnarvon

Howard Carter

Theodore Davies

Paid all the workers who discovered the tomb.

Found a cup that led to the discovery.

Discovered the tomb.

Sentence True False

Some people think Mummies can curse people who find them.

Lord Carnarvon’s cat died the same night as the canary.

When Lord Carnarvon died, the lights went out in Egypt.

Some people say Lord Carnarvon died from a germ.

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Tutankhamun’s Tomb Answers1. Which year was Tutankhamun’s tomb discovered? Tick one.

1922

2. Where did Carter find the tomb? Carter found the tomb in the Valley of the Kings.

3. What is the name of the room that had the sarcophagus in? Tick one.

burial chamber

4. Use the information in the text to match the people up to their role in the discovery.

5. Tick the boxes to say whether the sentences are true or false.

6. What is the name of the ritual that can be seen in the paintings in the burial chamber? The ritual in the paintings of the burial chamber is called ‘the opening of the mouth’.

7. Do you believe the mummy’s curse? Use the text to support your answer Pupil’s own response, that refers to the text, such as, ‘I believe in the mummy’s curse

because it is unusual for so many bad things to happen to Lord Carnarvon. He died soon after the tomb was discovered and for all the lights go out in Cairo is very strange. Also, his dog died too.’

Sentence True False

Some people think Mummies can curse people who find them.

Lord Carnarvon’s cat died the same night as the canary.

When Lord Carnarvon died, the lights went out in Egypt.

Some people say Lord Carnarvon died from a germ.

Lord Carnarvon

Howard Carter

Theodore Davies

Paid all the workers who discovered the tomb.

Found a cup that led to the discovery.

Discovered the tomb.

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Tutankhamun’s TombWho Found His Tomb?The tomb was found by a group of researchers led by Howard Carter. Tutankhamun is one of the most famous and talked about pharaohs because his tomb was only found in 1922, which means that all of the treasures and the body inside have been left in very good condition. Carter knew where to look because he worked out from other important finds that the tomb would be in the Valley of the Kings. Carter said that a cup, with Tutankhamun and his wife on it, was a clue that helped him find the tomb. The cup was found by a man called Theodore Davies.

What They Found InsideInside the tomb they found over 3000 treasures that were put in for Tutankhamun to take with him into the afterlife. Many of the items were made from, or covered in, gold - only fitting for a king to own. The tomb itself was split into many different rooms. Most of the rooms were for the objects, apart from the burial chamber which just held his sarcophagus (a decorated stone coffin).

DecorationThe burial chamber with the body is the only decorated room in the tomb,which is very unusual for a resting place for a king.

Normally, all the walls would be carved or painted, which is how we know that Tutankhamun died very suddenly. Many historians also believe that the tomb itself was not made for him in the first place and the burial chamber and decorations were added later.

The images on the walls were from a ritual called the ‘opening of the mouth’.

The Curse of the Mummy!The curse of the mummy started after Tutankhamun’s tomb was opened. Mummies have been thought to have magical powers over any who disturb them. It started with Lord Carnarvon; the man who paid for the dig of King Tut’s tomb died 5 months after it was opened. As soon as he died, all the lights in Cairo went out mysteriously. Other stories are that Carter’s pet canary was killed by a cobra and Carnarvon’s dog died the same night. Some think it was a germ but others say it was magic.

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Tutankhamun’s Tomb Questions1. Who discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb? Tick one.

Lord Carnarvon

Theodore Davies

Howard Carter

Howard Carnarvon

2. Why is Tutankhamun one of the most famous pharaohs?

3. Explain, in your own words, how we know Tutankhamun died suddenly.

4. How many treasures were found inside the tomb? Over 3000

Over 300

Over 30,000

Over 30

5. Find and copy a word that means ‘a religious ceremony’.

6. What happened 5 months after the tomb was opened? Tick one. Howard Carter died.

Lord Carnarvon died.

The tomb collapsed.

Lord Carnarvon’s cat died.

7. Use the information in the text to fill in the blanks.

Tutankhamun’s tomb contained so many treasures covered in, or

, gold so he could take them with him to the .

His body was in a stone coffin called a .

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Tutankhamun’s Tomb Questions

8. Do you think Howard Carter believed in the mummy’s curse? Use the text to support your ideas.

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Tutankhamun’s Tomb Answers1. Who discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb? Tick one.

Howard Carter

2. Why is Tutankhamun one of the most famous pharaohs? Tutankhamun is one of the most famous pharaohs because his tomb was discovered quite recently (1922). This means that the artefacts and the body are in a good condition.

3. Explain, in your own words, how we know Tutankhamun died suddenly. Accept any response that suggests Tutankhamun died before the tomb was finished, such as: ‘We know Tutankhamun died suddenly because the tomb was not completely decorated. Usually a tomb for a king would have paintings in all of the rooms, but only his burial chamber had paintings in, so maybe he died before the tomb was ready for him.’

4. How many treasures were found inside the tomb? Over 3000

5. Find and copy a word that means ‘a religious ceremony’. ritual

6. What happened 5 months after the tomb was opened? Tick one.

Lord Carnarvon died.

7. Use the information in the text to fill in the blanks.

Tutankhamun’s tomb contained so many treasures covered in, or made from, gold so he could take them with him to the afterlife. His body was in a stone coffin called a sarcophagus.

8. Do you think Howard Carter believed in the mummy’s curse? Use the text to support your ideas.

Pupil’s own response, that refers to the text, such as, ‘I believe Howard Carter might start to believe in the mummy’s curse because of all the things that happened to Lord Carnarvon and his dog.’ Or ‘I believe Howard Carter didn’t believe in the Mummy’s curse because if he did, he would not have opened the tomb.’

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Tutankhamun’s TombWho Found His Tomb?The tomb was found by a group of researchers led by Howard Carter. The reason why Tutankhamun is one of the most famous and talked about pharaohs is because his tomb was only found in 1922, which means that all of the artefacts and the body inside have been left in very good condition. Carter knew where to look because he worked out from other important finds that the tomb would be in the Valley of the Kings. A cup found by a man named Theodore Davis, with Tutankhamun and his wife on it, was a clue that Carter said helped him find the tomb of the Boy King.

What They Found InsideInside the tomb they found over 3000 artefacts that were put in for Tutankhamun to take with him into the afterlife. Many of the items were made from, or covered in, gold, only fitting for a king to own. The tomb itself was split into many different rooms. Most of the rooms were for the objects, apart from the burial chamber which just held his sarcophagus (a decorated stone coffin).

DecorationThe burial chamber with the body is the only decorated room in the tomb,

which is very unusual for a resting place for a king.

Normally, all the walls would be carved or painted, which is how we know that Tutankhamun died very suddenly. Many historians also believe that the tomb itself was not made for him in the first place and the burial chamber and decorations were added later.

The images on the walls were from a ritual called the ‘opening of the mouth’.

The Curse of the Mummy!The curse of the mummy started after Tutankhamun’s tomb was opened. Mummies have been thought to have magical powers over any who disturb them. It started with Lord Carnarvon; the man who paid for the dig of King Tut’s tomb died soon after it was opened. As soon as he died, all the lights in Cairo went out mysteriously. Other stories are that Carter’s pet canary was killed by a cobra and Carnarvon’s dog died the same night. Some think it was a germ but others say it was magic.

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Tutankhamun’s Tomb Questions1. Explain, in your own words, how Carter knew where to look for Tutankhamun’s tomb.

2. Which word is closest in meaning to the word ‘historical treasures’? afterlife

artefacts

decorated

objects

3. Why are the artefacts described as ‘fitting for a king’ to own?

4. Why might Howard Carter be surprised to see that the burial chamber was the only room decorated?

5. Do you think Tutankhamun was an important king in his lifetime? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

6. Read the ‘Who Found His Tomb?’ section. What other name is used to refer to Tutankhamun?

7. Fill in the table.

Sentence True False

The tomb had one room in it.

Lord Carnarvon’s dog died the same night as the canary.

Theodore Davies discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun.

When Lord Carnarvon died, all the lights went out in Cairo.

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Tutankhamun’s Tomb Questions

8. Would you like to discover an ancient Egyptian tomb? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

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Tutankhamun’s Tomb Answers1. Explain, in your own words, how Carter knew where to look for Tutankhamun’s tomb.

Pupil’s own response, such as; ‘Howard Carter used his knowledge of where other Egyptian artefacts had been found to work out that the tomb was in the Valley of the Kings. Then Theodore Davies found a cup that had Tutankhamun and his wife on it, so Howard Carter knew he was close and to look nearby.

2. Which word is closest in meaning to the word ‘historical treasures’? artefacts

3. Why are the artefacts described as ‘fitting for a king’ to own? Accept any response that refers to the artefacts being precious and ‘fitting for a king’ meaning ‘suitable’ such as; ‘The artefacts are described as ‘fitting for a king’ because that means it makes sense that a king should own them. The artefacts are covered in (or made from) gold, so we know they are expensive and precious, and like something a king should own.’

4. Why might Howard Carter be surprised to see that the burial chamber was the only room decorated?

Howard Carter might be surprised that the burial chamber was the only room in the tomb decorated because usually all the rooms in a tomb are decorated for a King.

5. Do you think Tutankhamun was an important king in his lifetime? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Pupil’s own response that refers to the text, such as: ‘I think Tutankhamun was an important king in his lifetime because he was buried with over 3000 artefacts made from gold. If he wasn’t important, they would not have buried him with them.’ Or ‘I think Tutankhamun was not an important king in his lifetime, because his tomb was unfinished. If he was really important, his tomb would have been decorated fully.’

6. Read the ‘Who Found His Tomb?’ section. What other name is used to refer to Tutankhamun? Tutankhamun is referred to as the ‘Boy King’.

7. Fill in the table.

Sentence True False

The tomb had one room in it.

Lord Carnarvon’s dog died the same night as the canary.

Theodore Davies discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun.

When Lord Carnarvon died, all the lights went out in Cairo.

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Tutankhamun’s Tomb Questions

8. Would you like to discover an ancient Egyptian tomb? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Pupil’s own response, that refers to the text.

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